Manchester United seemingly bounced back from Sunday’s Manchester derby defeat last night with a win at Old Trafford against Bournemouth.

However, not everybody that supports the red half of Manchester was satisfied with the overall performance. Romelu Lukaku’s first half goal clinched the 3 points, but the lack of attacking prowess, as United only managed 2 shots on target thoughout the 90 minutes has left some with an axe to grind.

It’s not the first time the Portuguese tactician has been called into question during his time in the Old Trafford hotseat.

Many have questioned they are not ‘Playing the United way’… Eeking out odd goal victories amid a ‘backs to the wall’ performance is a million miles away from the free flowing entertaining title winning football served up under the tender of the great Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Mourinho out brigade are slowly starting to rear their heads, but it’s fair to say that with the size of United’s worldwide fan base, what might seem like a vocal section of discontent is actually just a small minority of keyboard warriors.

Or is there more to it? What is the mood like on the Stretford End? Many may share the notion that all in all it’s the points that matter. Even if we do want to be entertained we can’t always get the wish to be engrossed in a free flowing comfortable victories. On the other hand some would argue they pay enough money and would expect a certain level of entertainment.

Overall, is the criticism unfair or does Jose need to change things?

United do sit 2nd in the premier and have scored 37 goals. Which is the 2nd most. It’s hard to use Manchester City’s form as a yardstick as their season has been extraordinary so far.

There have been games where United have convincingly dispatched teams and scored 3 or 4 goals. However the Mourinho out camp would argue there have been more games where United have sat back and negatively held on by the skin of their teeth or approached games from the off with the plan to ‘shut up shop’

So what’s it to be? Happy to scrap for the points by whatever means? Or the need to be satisfyingly entertained?

I am very happy and very proud. I came here very young and am very happy to continue my journey here. I love this club so it’s a great moment for me and my family. Now I want to establish myself and progress into the team and stay here permanently.’

The young Begian spent last season on loan at La Liga club Real Betis. This season the 21 year old has been a regular addition to the first team squad and made his full debut in the Carabao Cup against Nottingham Forest, a game in which he scored. He has gone on to make a total of 5 appearances and is seen as having huge potential to become a star at Stamford Bridge.

Today sees the start of the under 21 European Championship. Hosted by Poland there are 12 teams in the competition that have been split into 3 groups of 4 teams. The top team and the best 2nd placed team will qualify for the Semi finals. The final takes place at the end of the month on Saturday the 30th in Krakow.

Group Stage Fixtures

Group A

16/6: Sweden v England 5pm (GMT) Poland v Slovakia 7.45pm (GMT)

19/6: Slovakia v England 5pm, Poland v Sweden 7.45pm

22/6: Sweden v Slovakia 7.45pm, Poland v England 7.45pm

Group B

17/6: Portugal v Serbia 5pm, Spain v Macedonia 7.45pm

20/6: Serbia v Macedonia 5pm, Spain v Portugal 7.45pm

23/6: Macedonia v Portugal 7.45pm, Serbia V Spain 7.45pm

Group C

18/6: Germany c Czech Rep 5pm, Denmark v Italy 7.45pm

21/6: Czech Rep v Italy 5pm, Denmark v Germany 7.45pm

24/6: Italy v Germany 7.45pm, Denmark v Czech Rep 7.45pm

The Semi finals will be played 27th of June with the final on 30th of June.

So we’ve reached that time of the year where the domestic and European competitions have finished. Now onto the World Cup….. Oh hang on, it’s not a World Cup year is it. Ok, time for the Euros…. Nope that was last year. Yes, we have a summer without football.

Are you sweating at the thought of no football for 2 months? Well unfortunately football withdrawal is about to grip us all and we must find a way to get through this terrible time.

Now wipe back your tears and don’t fret because we have other things to do don’t we? Like having a holiday and visiting family. But what about Saturday at 3pm? Well there’s always some DIY the other half has been nagging at you about doing. Or maybe watch another sport like cricket? Now I’m quite partial to cricket myself, but let’s be honest….. It’s not football!

For those of you partial to international football (club verses country debate is whole different story) we are about to enter an international week including World Cup qualifiers. It may not be a full blown tournament, but qualifying for said tournament is just as important. As are friendlies…. sort of. Even so there’s still a good 8 weeks between these games and seeing your beloved club in meaningful action.

So What Can We Do?

There are other alternatives for those of us who’s domestic season’s are over. Maybe adopt an overseas team who’s season runs through the summer such as the MLS, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and the A league. However, the thought of sitting in front of the tv and screaming ‘ C’mon JK Tallina Kalev’ doesn’t quite cut it.*

*Disclaimer: Fair play to anybody in these countries who is lucky enough to follow these clubs.

Wait….there are ways to help cure the problem. Wearing your club shirt or other alternative regularly will ease the pain. There’s also the transfer market to follow as you find your club constantly linked with every player on the planet.

Importantly though next seasons fixtures will be announced very soon (Premier League 14th June and the Football league 21st June) That will fill a day or so as you plan towards next season’s trips away and look forward to the key fixtures. At that point symptoms will start to ease. Then ultimately in around 5 to 6 weeks we can actually watch them again. Yes, pre season friendlies will be in full swing. It really isn’t that long to wait, honest.

If you require any further help….. Don’t hesitate to ring your mates and go for a pint.

With the MLS season in full swing, I thought I’d share a taste of how things are stateside.

Football or soccer as it’s more commonly known has always been a long way down the pecking order in the thoughts of sports fans over the pond. Often ridiculed for poor quality and seen as a retirement home for ex stars looking for one last payday. I thought I’d have a look and see what is the current state of affairs. Crowds vary from club to club and the current highest of the season was achieved by new club or franchise as they are known over there… Atlanta United. In excess 55k is their biggest to date with an average of 48k. At the other end of the scale Colombus Crew are averaging just over 13k. In whole some very healthy turnouts though.

There are a number of decent players currently plying their trade in the MLS at the moment. Most notably the likes of David Villa at New York City FC, Kaka at Orlando City and Ashley Cole at LA Galaxy.

The game has had it’s flaws since it’s relaunch as MLS in 1993. This was after a similar venture during the 70s with The North American Soccer League. One notable flaw was a kind of run up with the ball penalty shootout to decide any games that were drawn. However the game does now take on the more conventional worldly used way of football with a points system and drawn matches. They do take on a similar model to other American sports though regional conferences and a playoff system.

Overall I’m going to keep an eye on things and report how things are fairing in the MLS. I believe putting the league out to a wider audience is paramount in the continuation of it’s growth.